A blog by Vitessesteve mostly about Triumph car stuff. Featuring articles about Standard Triumph car dealers. Includes new free technical literature such as Parts Catalogues, Workshop Manuals and Owners Handbooks.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

H A Browett & Co Ltd of Leicester - Triumph Car Dealers 17

This is article about H A Browett & Co Ltd of Leicester is number 17 in my series of articles about Triumph car dealers.

A short history of H A Browett & Co Ltd of Leicester

I found this image on a blog by Peter Ashley who recalled watching the coming and goings at Browetts service depot "..where they maintained the ranks of newly bought little grey Ferguson tractors and red and yellow Massey-Harris combines and muck spreaders. Such was the post-war demand, Browetts signed up a fleet of Standard Vanguard vans with the evocative tractor silhouette.." The service depot keep in touch with the service crews in their vans by radio - the radio mast and van roof mounted aerials are just visible in the image.

H A Browett & Co Ltd of Leicester sold Standard cars from 1931 and Triumph cars until at least 1975.At other times it was a retail dealer for both Jaguar cars and also an agent for the Swallow Doretti sports car. I have been told by Peter Lockley who now owns it that Browetts only ever sold one Swallow Doretti.

At the time of a Triumph distributor list published in the Standard Triumph Review March 1968 H A Browett & Co Ltd were said to be a member of the Hollingdrake Group who also held the Triumph franchise in Stockport, Colwy Bay and Liverpool..

Between 20th and 24 January 1969 the firm staged a Sales and Service Week promotion assisted by staff from Standard Triumph HQ.

At some point the business was sold to the Heron Group as evidenced by the 1974 advert shown later in this article.

In a Standard Motor Club magazine article in 2006: The mid green car is a V3 1924 Kenilworth owned by Robert Browett. H.A.Browett & Co. Ltd. of Leicester purchased the car in early 1946 by Robert’s grandfather Henry A. Browett who was then a Standard Distributor. H.A.Browett & Co. Ltd. had first been appointed to represent The Standard Motor Company in 1931, seven years after the car was built. It is with the other car in the picture, the only remaining Standards still owned by the direct descendants of the owners of Standard Dealers from the very early pre-war period.

green Standard V3 1924 Kenilworth

H A Browett & Co Ltd - Leicester Standard car dealer advert 1946

H A Browett & Co Ltd - Leicester Triumph car dealer advert 1960

Browetts - Leicester car dealer advert 1974

Mr P H J Browett handing over car to customer

The purchase of his fifth Herald by Mr G M Hayes was reported in the Standard Triumph Review June 1965. The managing director Mr PH J Browett is pictured handing over the car.

Railway Bridge advert

H.A.Browett & Co Humberstone Rd, Leicester bridge advert

Tram shed

Originally built as Stoneygate tram shed and now home to the Leicester Heritage Transport Trust.A lease on the building held by The Midland Counties Motor Agencies Ltd. (MCMA) was by 8 February 1927, in the name of H.A. Browett & Co. Ltd. who was associated with the MCMA and a request was made for two petrol pumps to be erected at the entrance to the garage. In April 1927, the Lease came up for renewal and the Company opted for a further term of five years on a new leasing arrangement which included an agreement for two additional petrol pumps to be installed together with heating apparatus.

In April 1930, permission was granted for a telephone kiosk to be erected in the shrubbery surrounding the convenience. From the outbreak of the war until June 1946, one-half of the depot was requisitioned by the A.R.P. Auxiliary Fire Service and Browett’s rent was reduced as a result. A new five year Lease came into force in September 1946 restoring the whole of the depot for the use of Browetts with a suitably increased rent. According to Kelly’s Directory of 1969 (probably published at the start of that year), Browetts were still in occupation of the building although it is believed that they actually vacated the premises in early 1968.

Triumph dealers in Leicester address info

Prior to 1955 I have no directory information. I have been told that the 30-32 Dover Street workshops were in use from at least 1939.

In 1955 H A Browett & Co Ltd were listed as a distributor with head office and showroom were at 64-66 Granby Street, garage at 30-32 Dover Street and Stores at 21 Calais Street.
By 1968 there also had a branch at Leicester Road, Wigston.
They are listed as a Triumph distributor based at 64-66 Granby Street, LE1 1DP until my last directory dated 1974.